Endocarditis

Common germs that enter through the bloodstream and get carried to the heart can sometimes infect the inner surface of the heart, including the heart valves. This rare, but sometimes life-threatening infection is called endocarditis.

The germs can enter the bloodstream through needles, syringes, or other medical devices and through breaks in the skin or gums. Usually the body's defenses fight off the germs and no infection occurs. Sometimes these defenses fail, which leads to endocarditis.

Endocarditis can develop in people who already have abnormal blood flow through a heart valve due to congenital or acquired heart valve disease. The abnormal blood flow causes blood clots to form on the surface of the valve. The blood clots make it easier for germs to attach to and infect the valve.

Endocarditis can worsen existing heart valve disease.

Symptoms of endocarditis

Symptoms of this heart infection include:

- fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- night sweats
- difficulty breathing
- fatigue (tiredness)
- weakness
- red spots on the palms and soles
- swelling of the feet, legs, and belly

Treatment of endocarditis

Most cases of endocarditis will be treated with a course of antibiotics for 2 to 6 weeks. Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat endocarditis are penicillin (vancomycin if allergic) and gentamicin.

One in four cases of acute endocarditis will require surgery, usually to repair damage to a heart valve.

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